Service search based on battery charger

• US 8,155,711 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2009
• Issued: 04/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Deshpande, Yogen Nandkumar, Umatt, Bhupesh Manoharlal
• Primary Examiner(s): TRINH, TAN H
• Application Number:
  US12/479,234
• Publication Number:
  US 20100311473A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 455/573, 455/574, 455/522, 455/456, 455/343.5, 455/414.1, 455/436, 455/439, 455/9, 455/13.4, 455/67.11, 455/572, 455/154.2, 455/343.6, 455/452.2, 320/108
• US Class Current: 455/573
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0277 according to available power supply, e.g. switching off when a low battery condition is detected
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Aspects describe modifying a service search pattern based on whether a device battery is being charged or is not being charged (e.g., is connected to a battery charger or not connected to a battery charger). A power conservative search pattern can be utilized if the battery is not being charges. If the battery is being charged, the search pattern can be an aggressive search pattern. Further, the search pattern can change if there is a change in whether the battery is being charged. The rate of charging the battery, a current battery level, amount of power consumed during the search, and/or the power being input by the battery chargers can be utilized to select and/or modify a network search pattern. Further, a user can select or change a search pattern through interaction with a user interface.

Claims

1. A method performed by a mobile device for searching for service in a wireless communications network, comprising:

employing a processor to implement the following acts;

determining a battery charging status when a network connection is lost;

selecting a network search pattern as a function of the battery charging status, wherein the network search pattern is interrupted based on an external event, and the external event is a change from not being charged to being charged, a change from being charged to not being charged, or a user input;

searching for service with the selected network search pattern; and

establishing a connection with the network or a different network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the network search pattern is an aggressive search pattern, a conservative search pattern, or a search pattern there between.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the aggressive search pattern comprises a greater search time to sleep time ratio compared to that of a conservative search pattern.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the aggressive search pattern consumes more power in a search period than a conservative search pattern irrespective of a search time to sleep time ratio.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein an aggressive network search pattern is employed if the battery is being charged.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a conservative network search pattern is employed if the battery is not being charged.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring the status of the battery charging while searching for service; and

changing the selected network search pattern if there is a change to the battery charging status.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the monitoring observes at least one of an amount of power input by the battery charger, a level of power consumed during the service search, an acceptable battery charge rate, and a current battery power level.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the monitoring determines the battery charging status changes between a being charged status and a not being charged status, and the changing switches between an aggressive service search pattern corresponding to the being charged status and a non-aggressive service search pattern corresponding to the not being charged status.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

evaluating a battery charge level; and

selectively modifying the selected network search pattern as a function of the battery charge level.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

evaluating a rate of battery charging;

determining a charging rate threshold as a function of a charge level present in the battery or independent of the charge level present in the battery;

comparing the rate of battery charging to a rate threshold; and

using a conservative search pattern if the rate is below the rate threshold or an aggressive search pattern if the rate is at or above the rate threshold.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the network search pattern is a uniform search pattern or a non-uniform search pattern.

13. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions related to evaluating a battery charging status when apparatus is powered on or when network access is lost, choosing a service search pattern as a function of the evaluation, wherein the service search pattern is interrupted based on an external event, and the external event is a change from not being charged to being charged, a change from being charged to not being charged, or a user input, continuing to monitor the battery charging status, modifying the search pattern if the battery charging status changes, and discontinuing the search when network access is established; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory.

14. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 13, wherein the service search pattern is aggressive if the battery charging status is charging and the service search pattern is conservative if the battery charging status is not charging.

15. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 14, wherein the aggressive search pattern has a greater search time to sleep time ratio compared to that in a conservative search pattern.

16. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 14, wherein the aggressive search pattern spends more power in a search period compared with the conservative search pattern irrespective of a search time to sleep time ratio.

17. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 13, the memory retains further instructions related to monitoring one or more battery parameters and modifying the search pattern as a function of the monitored battery parameters.

18. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 17, the monitored battery parameters comprise an amount of power input by a battery charger, a level of power consumed during the service search, an acceptable battery charge rate, and a current battery power level.

19. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 17, wherein the monitoring determines the battery charging status changes between a being charged status and a not being charged status, and the modifying switches between an aggressive service search pattern corresponding to the being charged status and a non-aggressive service search pattern corresponding to the not being charged status.

20. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 13, wherein the memory retains further instructions related to:

evaluating a rate of battery charging;

determining a charging rate threshold as a function of a charge level present in the battery or independent of the charge level present in the battery;

comparing the rate of battery charging to a rate threshold; and

using a conservative search pattern if the rate is below the rate threshold or an aggressive search pattern if the rate is at or above the rate threshold.

21. A wireless communications apparatus that selects a service search pattern, comprising:

means for employing a service search pattern based on a battery charging status, wherein the battery charging status is one of being charged and not being charged, the service search pattern is interrupted based on an external event, and the external event is a change from not being charged to being charged, a change from being charged to not being charged, or a user input;

means for monitoring status of a battery charge level and the battery charging status; and

means for altering the service search pattern if the monitoring indicates a change to the battery charge level status or the battery charging status, wherein the service search is terminated when a service connection is established.

22. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means for monitoring the status of the battery charge level and the battery charging status determines the battery charging status changes from being charged to not being charged and the means for altering the service search pattern switches from an aggressive service search pattern to a non-aggressive service search pattern.

23. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means for monitoring the status of the battery charge level and the battery charging status determines the battery charging status changes from not being charged to being charged and the means for altering the service search pattern switches from a non-aggressive service search pattern to an aggressive service search pattern.

24. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means for monitoring status of the battery charge level and the battery charging status observes at least one of an amount of power input by the battery charger, a level of power consumed during the service search, an acceptable battery charge rate, and a current battery power level.

25. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 21, further comprising:

means for evaluating a rate of battery charging;

means for determining a charging rate threshold as a function of a charge level present in the battery or independent of the charge level present in the battery;

means for comparing the rate of battery charging to a rate threshold; and

means for using a conservative search pattern if the rate is below the rate threshold or an aggressive search pattern if the rate is at or above the rate threshold.

26. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing a computer to evaluate a battery charging status when a network connection is lost or sought;

a second set of codes for causing the computer to choose a network search pattern as a function of the battery charging status, wherein the network search pattern is interrupted based on an external event, and the external event is a change from not being charged to being charged, a change from being charged to not being charged, or a user input;

a third set of codes for causing the computer to search for service with the chosen network search pattern; and

a fourth set of codes for causing the computer to establish a connection with the network or a different network.

27. The computer program product of claim 26, the computer-readable medium further comprising:

a fifth set of codes for causing the computer to monitor the battery charging status while searching for service; and

a sixth set of codes for causing the computer to modify the selected network search pattern if there is a change to the battery charging status.

28. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein the monitoring observes at least one of an amount of power input by the battery charger, a level of power consumed during the service search, an acceptable battery charge rate, and a current battery power level.

29. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein the monitoring determines the battery charging status changes between a being charged status and a not being charged status, and the modifying switches between an aggressive service search pattern corresponding to the being charged status and a non-aggressive service search pattern corresponding to the not being charged status.

30. The computer program product of claim 26, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises codes for:

evaluating a rate of battery charging;

determining a charging rate threshold as a function of a charge level present in the battery or independent of the charge level present in the battery;

comparing the rate of battery charging to a rate threshold; and

using a conservative search pattern if the rate is below the rate threshold or an aggressive search pattern if the rate is at or above the rate threshold.

31. At least one processor configured to search for a network as a function of a battery charging status, comprising:

a first module for evaluating a battery charging status when network access is lost or sought;

a second module for choosing a service search pattern as a function of the evaluation, wherein the service search pattern is interrupted based on an external event, and the external event is a change from not being charged to being charged, a change from being charged to not being charged, or a user input;

a third module for continuing to monitor the battery charging status;

a fourth module for modifying the search pattern if the battery charging status changes; and

a fifth module for discontinuing the search when network access is established.

32. The at least one processor of claim 31, wherein the service search pattern is aggressive if the battery charging status is being charged and the service search pattern is conservative if the battery charging status is not being charged.

33. The at least one processor of claim 31, further comprising modules for:

evaluating a rate of battery charging;

determining a charging rate threshold as a function of a charge level present in the battery or independent of the charge level present in the battery;

comparing the rate of battery charging to a rate threshold; and

using a conservative search pattern if the rate is below the rate threshold or an aggressive search pattern if the rate is at or above the rate threshold.

34. The at least one processor of claim 31, wherein the monitoring observes at least one of an amount of power input by the battery charger, a level of power consumed during the service search, an acceptable battery charge rate, and a current battery power level.

35. The at least one processor of claim 31, wherein the monitoring determines the battery charging status changes between a being charged status and a not being charged status, and the modifying switches between an aggressive service search pattern corresponding to the being charged status and a non-aggressive service search pattern corresponding to the not being charged status.

36. A method for wireless communications, comprising:

employing a processor to implement the following acts;

determining a battery charging status when a network connection is lost;

evaluating a rate of battery charging;

determining a charging rate threshold as a function of a charge level present in the battery or independent of the charge level present in the battery;

comparing the rate of battery charging to a rate threshold;

selecting a network search pattern as a function of the battery charging status;

searching for service with the selected network search pattern;

using a conservative search pattern if the rate is below the rate threshold or an aggressive search pattern if the rate is at or above the rate threshold; and

establishing a connection with the network or a different network.

37. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions related to;

determining a battery charging status when a network connection is lost;

evaluating a rate of battery charging;

determining a charging rate threshold as a function of a charge level present in the battery or independent of the charge level present in the battery;

comparing the rate of battery charging to a rate threshold;

selecting a network search pattern as a function of the battery charging status;

searching for service with the selected network search pattern;

using a conservative search pattern if the rate is below the rate threshold or an aggressive search pattern if the rate is at or above the rate threshold; and

establishing a connection with the network or a different network; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory.

38. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

means for determining a battery charging status when a network connection is lost;

means for evaluating a rate of battery charging;

means for determining a charging rate threshold as a function of a charge level present in the battery or independent of the charge level present in the battery;

means for comparing the rate of battery charging to a rate threshold;

means for selecting a network search pattern as a function of the battery charging status;

means for searching for service with the selected network search pattern;

means for using a conservative search pattern if the rate is below the rate threshold or an aggressive search pattern if the rate is at or above the rate threshold; and

means for establishing a connection with the network or a different network.

39. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing a computer to determine a battery charging status when a network connection is lost;

a second set of codes for causing the computer to evaluate a rate of battery charging;

a third set of codes for causing the computer to determine a charging rate threshold as a function of a charge level present in the battery or independent of the charge level present in the battery;

a fourth set of codes for causing the computer to compare the rate of battery charging to a rate threshold;

a fifth set of codes for causing the computer to select a network search pattern as a function of the battery charging status;

a sixth set of codes for causing the computer to search for service with the selected network search pattern;

a seventh set of codes for causing the computer to use a conservative search pattern if the rate is below the rate threshold or an aggressive search pattern if the rate is at or above the rate threshold; and

an eighth set of codes for causing the computer to establish a connection with the network or a different network.

40. At least one processor configured to search for a network as a function of a battery charging status, comprising:

a first module for determining a battery charging status when a network connection is lost;

a second module for evaluating a rate of battery charging;

a third module for determining a charging rate threshold as a function of a charge level present in the battery or independent of the charge level present in the battery;

a fourth module for comparing the rate of battery charging to a rate threshold;

a fifth module for selecting a network search pattern as a function of the battery charging status;

a sixth module for searching for service with the selected network search pattern;

a seventh module for using a conservative search pattern if the rate is below the rate threshold or an aggressive search pattern if the rate is at or above the rate threshold; and

an eighth module for establishing a connection with the network or a different network.

41. A method for wireless communications, comprising:

employing a service search pattern based on a battery charging status, wherein the battery charging status is one of being charged and not being charged;

monitoring status of a battery charge level and the battery charging status, comprising observing at least one of an amount of power input by the battery charger, a level of power consumed during the service search, an acceptable battery charge rate, and a current battery power level; and

altering the service search pattern if the monitoring indicates a change to the battery charge level status or the battery charging status, wherein the service search is terminated when a service connection is established.

42. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions related to;

employing a service search pattern based on a battery charging status, wherein the battery charging status is one of being charged and not being charged;

monitoring status of a battery charge level and the battery charging status, comprising observing at least one of an amount of power input by the battery charger, a level of power consumed during the service search, an acceptable battery charge rate, and a current battery power level; and

altering the service search pattern if the monitoring indicates a change to the battery charge level status or the battery charging status, wherein the service search is terminated when a service connection is established; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory.

43. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

means for employing a service search pattern based on a battery charging status, wherein the battery charging status is one of being charged and not being charged;

means for monitoring status of a battery charge level and the battery charging status, comprising observing at least one of an amount of power input by the battery charger, a level of power consumed during the service search, an acceptable battery charge rate, and a current battery power level; and

means for altering the service search pattern if the monitoring indicates a change to the battery charge level status or the battery charging status, wherein the service search is terminated when a service connection is established.

44. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing a computer to employ a service search pattern based on a battery charging status, wherein the battery charging status is one of being charged and not being charged;

a second set of codes for causing the computer to monitor status of a battery charge level and the battery charging status, comprising observing at least one of an amount of power input by the battery charger, a level of power consumed during the service search, an acceptable battery charge rate, and a current battery power level; and

a third set of codes for causing the computer to alter the service search pattern if the monitoring indicates a change to the battery charge level status or the battery charging status, wherein the service search is terminated when a service connection is established.

45. At least one processor configured to search for a network as a function of a battery charging status, comprising:

a first module for employing a service search pattern based on a battery charging status, wherein the battery charging status is one of being charged and not being charged;

a second module for monitoring status of a battery charge level and the battery charging status, comprising observing at least one of an amount of power input by the battery charger, a level of power consumed during the service search, an acceptable battery charge rate, and a current battery power level; and

a third module for altering the service search pattern if the monitoring indicates a change to the battery charge level status or the battery charging status, wherein the service search is terminated when a service connection is established.

46. A method for wireless communications, comprising:

employing a service search pattern based on a battery charging status, wherein the battery charging status is one of being charged and not being charged;

monitoring status of a battery charge level and the battery charging status, comprising determining the battery charging status changes between a being charged status and a not being charged status; and

altering the service search pattern if the monitoring indicates a change to the battery charge level status or the battery charging status, the altering comprising switching between an aggressive service search pattern corresponding to the being charged status and a non-aggressive service search pattern corresponding to the not being charged status, wherein the service search is terminated when a service connection is established.

47. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions related to;

employing a service search pattern based on a battery charging status, wherein the battery charging status is one of being charged and not being charged;

monitoring status of a battery charge level and the battery charging status, comprising determining the battery charging status changes between a being charged status and a not being charged status; and

altering the service search pattern if the monitoring indicates a change to the battery charge level status or the battery charging status, the altering comprising switching between an aggressive service search pattern corresponding to the being charged status and a non-aggressive service search pattern corresponding to the not being charged status, wherein the service search is terminated when a service connection is established; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory.

48. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

means for employing a service search pattern based on a battery charging status, wherein the battery charging status is one of being charged and not being charged;

means for monitoring status of a battery charge level and the battery charging status, comprising means for determining the battery charging status changes between a being charged status and a not being charged status; and

means for altering the service search pattern if the monitoring indicates a change to the battery charge level status or the battery charging status, the means for altering comprising means for switching between an aggressive service search pattern corresponding to the being charged status and a non-aggressive service search pattern corresponding to the not being charged status, wherein the service search is terminated when a service connection is established.

49. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing a computer to employ a service search pattern based on a battery charging status, wherein the battery charging status is one of being charged and not being charged;

a second set of codes for causing the computer to monitor status of a battery charge level and the battery charging status, comprising determining the battery charging status changes between a being charged status and a not being charged status; and

a third set of codes for causing the computer to alter the service search pattern if the monitoring indicates a change to the battery charge level status or the battery charging status, the altering comprising switching between an aggressive service search pattern corresponding to the being charged status and a non-aggressive service search pattern corresponding to the not being charged status, wherein the service search is terminated when a service connection is established.

50. At least one processor configured to search for a network as a function of a battery charging status, comprising:

a first module for employing a service search pattern based on a battery charging status, wherein the battery charging status is one of being charged and not being charged;

a second module for monitoring status of a battery charge level and the battery charging status, comprising determining the battery charging status changes between a being charged status and a not being charged status; and

a third module for altering the service search pattern if the monitoring indicates a change to the battery charge level status or the battery charging status, the altering comprising switching between an aggressive service search pattern corresponding to the being charged status and a non-aggressive service search pattern corresponding to the not being charged status, wherein the service search is terminated when a service connection is established.